DRUG-ASSISTED RAPES DOUBLE OVER ONE YEAR

RAPE CRISIS centres around the country are reporting a doubling in the
number of drug assisted rapes in the last 12 months.

Provisional figures from the Rape Crisis Network show that while there were
70 drug assisted rapes in the year 2000, the figure for this year will show
almost a 100pc increase with 130 such rapes being reported.

Fiona Neary, national co-ordinator of the Rape Crisis Network, told the
Irish Independent that while final figures were not yet available, all
centres across the country were showing an annual increase in the number of
rapes.

Ms Neary said they suspected the drug being used in many of the cases was
rophypnol, which acts as a sedative and often knocks the victim out.
Rohypnol, known as the date rape drug, is easily available.

"In the vast majority of cases, people don't report for a blood test so we
can't say for sure it is rophypnol. We do know there are a range of drugs
being used including different kinds of sedatives," said Ms Neary.

"We are hearing from rape crisis centres that some dealers selling drugs
such as ecstasy are also dealing in sedatives costing around £5 a go. The
majority of victims say they suspect their drink was spiked in a licensed
premises."

She said rape crisis centres had also become aware that some women
preparing for a night out were buying test kits to find out if their drinks
had been spiked.

One Irish company, based in Cahir, Co Tipperary, has been swamped with
orders for a revolutionary dip-test which tells if drinks have been
contaminated with date-rape drugs.

The Bio-Tipp company last week admitted that they had been staggered by the
demand for their 'Prufie' test which indicates within 60 seconds if a drink
has been tampered with.

Ms Neary said women concerned about their drinks being interfered with
could nominate one of their group to watch the drinks. She said some
nightclubs and pubs were equipped to deal with the phenomenon and if a
person suspected something they should alert the staff immediately.